NATION - New Shuttle Computer Installed
Technicians today replaced a defective computer in space shuttle Atlantis as they worked toward a Tuesday launch to deploy the Jupiter-bound Galileo probe.
Testing of the new $6-million unit began immediately and was to be completed Saturday.
“All the work is going well at the launch pad,” said NASA spokeswoman Lisa Malone. “We can launch on Tuesday if the testing goes without a hitch.”
Shuttle managers planned to meet at noon Saturday to assess test results and decide when the interrupted countdown should be resumed.
The task of replacing the 230-pound computer began soon after the countdown was halted Tuesday because the device gave a false pressure reading. Launch had been set for Thursday.
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